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You should 100% buy a membership with dining as part of the membership (not purchased separately) now and get grandfathered in. Anyone considering this at-all would be crazy not to buy a membership ASAP.

I'm fine with them raising prices, but why not just keep memberships, maybe tweak the discount percentages, kill the dining plans that aren't really attached to those anyway and raise the prices? This is the Six-Flagsiest thing and the "I'm glad they simplified the confusing pass system" crowd should probably be sitting down for this one. The new pass system is actually more confusing than the old one, as prices vary by park and benefits also vary by park. Example: At Magic Mountain, the Ultimate Pass is $329.99 and includes a $50 attractions credit (whatever that means). At Fiesta Texas, Over Texas and Discovery Kingdom, the same pass is $299, but it doesn't have the attractions credit and instead has a $25 Merchandise Credit and a $25 Food credit. Actually, every different pass level varies in price depending on the park. The Ultimate Pass earns 35% off merchandise at Over Texas, Discovery Kingdom and Fiesta Texas but only 30% off at Magic Mountain. The Extreme Pass earns 35% Off merchandise at Over Texas and Fiesta Texas but only 25% off at Magic Mountain. The Extreme Pass earns 15% off food at Magic Mountain, but 20% off at Fiesta Texas, Discovery Kingdom and Over Texas. The Ultimate Pass earns a 50% off all season Flash Pass discount at Discovery Kingdom, Over Texas and Fiesta Texas but that benefit does not exist at Magic Mountain. The discounts are the same across the highest 2 pass levels at most parks but at Magic Mountain, they're tiered. Discovery Kingdom has a 35% animal attraction discount. So if you go to other parks, what discount do you get? Let's all find out together... lol

*SF is back to being its usual self, I'm glad they held up well through covid but they are still sucky SF* (runs away)

Take a ride on The Phantom's Revenge! This may be the final look at that green paint!

They get exactly the attention this park deserves. Sorry no one wants to build a gigacoaster in a rust belt town with zero tourists.

OMG. . tacky tacky tacky! and while this is over 250X more. . if I had money to burn? I'd absolutely pick this up in a heartbeat. THIS? This is gorgeous: and it's "only" 250K

Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary Jeweled Ear Hat for Adults – Limited Release $1000

I accidentally stumbled onto this small sign placed on the wall of a picnic area in Lagoon. Most random thing ever, and I've been told by locals that's there tons of these nonsensical signs scattered around the park. Would love to know about more of them.

Wait...I thought it was beyond vertical? Is this another Six Flags budget cut...or are they just behind schedule again...

Bro, Skull Mountain doesn't need heat because Skull Mountain IS heat.

It's a low tier Cedar Fair park and a Screamscape rumor...I wouldn't get your hopes up...

Well people always complained about the food lines. Less dining plan guest should fix that

I fail to see why the blackout dates would apply to those passholders/members, since only the basic level pass at SFMM has blackout dates, and the basic level pass/membership at other parks does not grant admission to all SF parks. Effectively, the holder of a pass/membership at another park would be the equivalent of the higher levels of pass at SFMM, thus no blackout dates. I think it's also worth noting that the only blackout dates at SFMM are the Fright Fest Saturdays. Many chains' "basic level" pass doesn't include admission to their Halloween events at all.

all I have to say is that I really hope they are honoring dining plans already purchased on folks passes/memberships. I suspect they will.. . but how messy.

lol. Nice proofreading on the news release. Also in addition to the pay per ride, it looks like SFMM is the first to launch the new pass levels, though I'd imagine it should go in the main Six Flags corporate thread as I'm assuming it will be rolling out to more parks soon. Now the employees will have to deal with legacy memberships which they are discontinuing for new purchases, and 3 more tiers of season passes completely separate from gold+, platinum, diamond, diamond elite, diamond elite VIP..... meaning there are now technically 9 different pass levels for SFMM... The new pass levels are not very budget friendly, and the perks are much lower for higher cost. Also gone are the days of unlimited meal visits throughout the year. The payment plan is only good on the two highest passes and it's only 4 payments max.

^I echo your sentiments. While I understand it is likely not going to still be here in 10 years, I really hope it is. I adore the ride. Also, on topic of the thread, I believe Viper received train donations from both Great American Scream Machine at SFGAdv and Ninja at SFOG, so each Viper train now is probably just a combination of parts from all over. I know Ninja also got train donations from XLR8 at Astroworld. Perhaps this is why those Arrow classics are still going strong.

And that ^ reminds me of this one, in the front window of the Main Street Glassware shop in DL. Sparkly, hmmm? Rotating stand too - classy! Photo taken in Sept. 2019. And since I know I couldn't afford it, I didn't ask the price. Or forgot to. Age does that to ya.

It’s such a great looking ride in a stunning location. I’m personally a giant Viper fanboy. Perhaps my favorite ride in the park some days depending on whether or not I get a dueling ride on Twisted Colossus. I do hope it’s around for a while longer - blows my mind that it’s the largest looper Arrow ever made and it’s somehow still standing when it’s clearly size that is this model’s downfall.

Thanks, all! I appreciate the feedback… I several view seed I do recall myself having read an article about Magic Mountain and it’s desire to have spare trains at the ready in the event that they were needed. If memory serves me correctly, I remember specifically viper and ninja both been mentioned as having 4 trains total ; yet, both coasters We’re capable of only running a maximum of three trains at any given time due to the lack system in place. ShockWave did in fact open with four trains; the 1991 issue of ACE’s “Guide to Ride” publication backing-up this data. If I’m not mistaken, one of the “red”trains from ShockWave was shipped-off to Great Adventure - for use on the Scream Machine for the 1989 season. In hindsight, relocating the spare to a park that would immediately benefit from its presence , was an more efficient use of resources. Back to Viper, I have a photograph taken a few seasons ago, when the coaster was getting repainted. If you look closely at the transfer tracks, you can see four trains. At first glance, there may only seem to be three… but, upon closer inspection, what appears to be only ONE train unbelievably long train - is instead TWO individual trains. (photo courtesy of Baynum Painting) -CJM

Understood. It's not quite as good a value at the deluxe resorts with just one person and I don't think it is too likely they will sell out ahead of time on a weekday, even on a busy week so you can certainly buy in park that day if necessary. Use single rider on Hagrids they don't let you do seat requests anyway so you don't really lose anything other than you will probably get the sidecar instead of the motorcycle side. VC, Hulk, and RRR have single rider too if you aren't picky about row. The two main HP rides have single rider which you should absolutely do and so does Spiderman, Men in Black and Transformers. Not sure if you are going to Studios side or not.

^ I like the backwards side better.

twas a Birthday miracle

Same reason it takes a lot longer to refurbish a classic car instead of just building a brand new car at a factory. When you’re (presumably) keeping many of the original components extra care needs to be taken.

Thanks and yes I am. FINALLY tested negative after 7 positive tests so I can start rehearsals for a show I am playing!

I don’t think you have any idea how complex converting the ride to a different launch system really would be. 6 months would be considered a fast turnaround… you need a new train, new electrical system, new control system, structural modifications, training the crew again, getting state certification…

Non-Fungible-Token. Basically serialized digital images (EDIT: or any other type of digital file). One is paying to own the "original" of a digital file. That anyone can just screenshot. It makes no sense to me either, and I'm only 38.

Hey, at least they're spending money on things they can actually hold and quantify...still better than NFT buyers.

that, honestly, was the MOST satisfying Schadenfreude I've experienced in years.

And they're still at it.

Yep, and as usual Universal is coming with the heat

^I heard the new management is going bold and they got a big statue of a middle finger to go there instead of the Batmobile. It is going to block the path they put in last season so everyone has to use the old one.

Oh yeah, I’m totally on board with giving people the choice to pay in full or monthly like they had been doing. This is weird though because they spent years forcing people into memberships and then immediately reversed course and went back to the pass system they had back in 1999 overnight.

One thing to keep in mind about the cave is while the tour itself takes an hour, you generally want to get in line 15 minutes earlier than the posted tour time, and probably more like 30 if the park is busy, because they have a group size limit, I want to say its in the mid 20s. It can be a pain to schlep back to the front of the park just to find the tour's already full for that time. You could spring extra for the last tour of the day, which is an upcharge but you go through with handheld lanterns instead of the built-in lighting and you go into areas of the cave beyond the normal tour route. Doing so reserves your spot in that tour. HIGHLY recommended if your schedule allows for it.

I want SFoG to give our hyper back, and issue a public apology.

Bill is right. I say this as someone who has visited SWO 5+ times over the last 4 years and just finally visited Universal - both parks - just last month. Plan to spend time at Universal. You don't need to dedicate a day to SWO. Its a great park, I am a huge fan, but we always kind of run out of stuff to do there because while the B&Ms & Journey and Infinity Falls are great, that's really kind of it. If you want to hit coasters and don't care so much about animals, you can probably do SWO in like 2-3 hours if you get there at park opening. Do yourself a favor and plan to spend more time at Universal, particularly IOA. It might be my favorite park ever, and I did not expect to have that opinion ahead of visiting in December, after years of just not really caring about Universal at all (no notable coasters that piqued my interest and whole lot of bitching from people about screen-based rides, etc). After spending one day 9am-7pm at both Uni parks, I only wish we had booked 2-3 days there. Seriously. While I'm kinda of ho-hum on the Studios park (I personally hated Rip Ride Rocket), Gringotts is amazing. So is Mummy but that's closed now. So if you want to ride Gringotts and try RRR for yourself then do the park hopper. But the real stars of the show are VelociCoaster and Hagrids. I was blown away by both. VelociCoaster is the greatest coaster on earth. Granted I'm a full blown Intamin fanboi and hadn't ridden any new ones in a few years so maybe it was just getting to ride those two back to back that made me blow my top, but I'm obsessed. And beyond that Universal -particularly IOA - is just awesome. Incredibly themed, clean, great ops, great staff, all the Potter rides are awesome (don't skip Forbidden Journey - amazing). We really loved everything about IOA. I cannot wait to go back and while we had an amazing trip all around (that also included SWO, Discovery Cove, Animal Kingdom and Funspot Orlando) my big regret was not booking 2+ days at Universal. Did I mention VC is the best ever? Plan to spend as much time as you can there. And for the love of god don't skip Hagrids. I know some people will think I'm insane but its a top 10'er for me. I said what i said.

I feel like my tastes are clearly a lot different than yours, so it's hard for me to gauge how to answer this but Velocicoaster is one of the best coasters in America and possibly the world if that helps. If you only care about big coasters, don't buy a park hopper just to ride Rockit. If you have any interest in also riding one of the best dark rides in America in addition to Rockit then yeah... buy a park hopper.

^ reminds me of USJ parade in Jurassic Park area. . .I was wearing a Blue shirt, and the Raptor (who I didn't know was named "Blue" until it was explained to me. . came rushing right over to interact with me and as anyone who has been in a park with me knows. . I'm a HUGE sucker for character interactions , or photo-op with props in most any park (also from that same USJ trip)

I'm not formally participating in the timeshare but if you guys let us crash on the couch occasionally I promise to keep the beer fridge fully-stocked.

Let's not pretend that seeing Monty operational on any given day wasn't already a huge gamble. Out of the past few years I think I've been lucky enough to actually get on the ride twice. Hold up a minute. I'm all for a TPR Timeshare in SoCal and I'm pretty darn sure a bunch of you other maniacs are, as well.

I do enjoy any sort of live entertainment at parks--even if it is cheesier than the state of Wisconsin. I make it a point to interact with casts/performers pre/post show. It's decent work, even if the show is not a good representation of the performers' talent. I'm also a sucker for character experiences, such as when I got to meet Cookie Monster this past summer at BGW while wearing a shirt that said "I Want Cookies More Than Abs"

The irony that a song called "Why Can't We Be Friends" is sung by a group known as "War" is not lost on me.

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex has announced the addition of a new attraction which will open this March, Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex. This new experience will include new artifacts, exhibits and a new 4D flying theater with four different "journeys" to choose from! https://media.kennedyspacecenter.com/kennedy/kennedy-space-center-visitor-complex-launches-into-future-with-gateway-deep-space-launch-complex-opening-march-2022.htm In an ongoing mission to bring the epic story of the U.S. space program to life, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex today announced a new attraction. Slated to open in March 2022, Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex, will focus on the present and future of collaborative space exploration, enabling guests to experience the interstellar travel of tomorrow while celebrating what is happening right now within the space program. It will feature a showcase of NASA and commercial spacecraft hardware with immersive displays, as well as a “journey” through space, unique launch viewing opportunities and more. Upon entering Gateway on the first level, “space travelers” will be greeted with a futuristic design intended to set the stage for their journey. Displayed like massive space sculptures in an outdoor garden, visitors will be surrounded by actual space flown artifacts and full-scale models, placed around the floor and suspended from above to allow 360-degree viewing and interaction. They include: Orion Crew Vehicle from EFT-1 Mission (space flown) Boeing CST-100 Starliner Crew Vehicle (full-scale engineering model) SpaceX Falcon 9 booster, officially known as Booster 1023, which supported two SpaceX missions (space flown) Sierra Space’s Dream Chaser (full scale replica) NASA Space Launch System (scale model) ULA Atlas V and Delta IV heavy (scale model) As well as offering a “nose-to-nose” view of the SpaceX Falcon 9 booster, Gateway’s second floor features a 30-foot, floor-to-ceiling Robotic Trail Blazers Wall with interactive, touchscreen displays through which guests can learn about almost 40 different satellites and probes in space. Also in this area will be a HoloTube presentation station where guests can learn about the high-powered James Webb Space Telescope by manipulating holographic imagery, video and animation through a touchscreen kiosk. Nearby, guests will be transported into the future of space travel at Spaceport KSC, the first and only airport of the future. Upon entering the concourse, travelers will be surrounded by the sights and sounds of a galactic spaceport: atmospheric airport chatter will surround travelers as they peer through windows at distant views of active launches and landings. The main concourse features multiple screens that will showcase destination promo videos and departure and arrival information. Guests will then board their “spaceships” – in the form of a two-story, 4D flying theater – for one of four journeys: Cosmic Wonders, Daring Explorers, Red Planet or Uncharted Worlds. Each distinct destination allows for the possibility of a different experience with each visit. Gateway’s rooftop will be a versatile space for both launch and landing viewing and hosting special events. Affixed to the rooftop will be a Planewave CDK20 Telescope with a Espirit 100mm triplet deep sky APO Refractor, and an Altair 125mm solar refractor will offer access to some of the sky’s most amazing celestial and solar wonders. The stunning images can then be shared for educational purposes. As always, the health and safety of employees and guests is the highest priority for Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. In accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) recommendations, the visitor complex continues to operate at a limited attendance, accommodating social distancing, encouraging advance daily admission purchases, and implementing increased frequency of sanitization and disinfection. All guests, including those vaccinated against COVID-19, are required to wear face coverings in all indoor locations, except when actively eating or drinking. This includes all attractions, attraction queues, show viewing areas, restaurants and buses. Guests who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 are not required to wear face coverings outdoors. Additional details are available at: www.kennedyspacecenter.com/info/coronavirus. SPACEX BOOSTER ARRIVAL See the incredible arrival of a spaceflown SpaceX Falcon 9 booster, officially known as Booster 1023. This booster supported two SpaceX missions and can be seen inside Gateway in 2022.

New and improved area up around Eagle. I've HATED that janky hidden entrance to such a classic coaster for years now. And for God's sake please tell me they will put up a new sign with all the logistics of the coaster and get rid of the current one that is all faded and unreadable. Also, for everyone to wait and see how operations are before we declare the park is on the way out. Maybe the new CEO is making terrible choices or maybe thinning some positions at the top will smooth things out (if screamscape is right and food ops were under the retail dept that explains a lot) or maybe some things will work and some won't but we won't know what until the season starts. Which according to the calendar is the first weekend in April. A little later than the last few years but if that helps them have more ready for opening day, I'm fine with that.

Huh? What are you talking about? I'm pretty sure that anyone in Florissant that doesn't have a car is NOT spending money on a cab to an amusement park and 99% of STL county has no trouble driving 3 1/2 hours to Branson. Am I reading you to literal? If that was a metaphor, you aren't making your point very well. Also, just because there is "reorganizing" at the corporate and managerial level doesn't mean they are selling off parks. Quite the opposite in my opinion. That would be an indication that you want to keep parks and make them more profitable (whether everyone agrees that is the way to do it or not) if you are selling things off you let the new owners decide who to keep and deal with firing people. Besides SFSTL is one of the original ground up SF parks, your post makes it sound like you are saying that it was originally a Premier Park.

That moment when you show the class you have absolutely no idea what you're talking about. MR is a fly-wheel launch, not catapult (aka "weight drop launch"). FFS, you can't even spell Schwarzkopf correctly.

They ended it because they needed the bandwith to use it for Cosmic Rewind.

Terry is a literal treasure. On our last visit he was out front before opening and sweeping up the entry pathway in full costume. I asked him once if he ever had a bad day at work and he answered "When the park is closed."

Happy New Year everyone! December was alright for me. Weight didn't change, 245.2lbs today, which is fine considering I enjoyed myself for the holidays. Still closed all my rings each day! Per day in December I averaged 1,187 active calories, 65 exercise mins and 10,011 steps. I'm super excited to give it my all this year, especially the first 3 months. Hopefully I hold true to that!

^ And I have to add.... I actually saw Betty LIVE, on a "$10,000 Pyramid" (that was the top amount, at the time) taping in Los Angeles. And one of The Funniest Moments happened back then. 1984-5. We also spent a whole f-ing other day to see "Price Is Right." Will never do that again, lol. Dick Clark was still hosting Pyramid at the time. It was his creation FYI, and all was going along fine during the game, until.... ...... Out of Betty's mouth comes .... "Oh shit I can't remember" .... and then the entire audience, crew, AND Clark, we all felt apart, laughing. The taping had to obviously stop, back up and start from another spot. But still - it was awesome just for that one hilarious moment between us and her. And I was really hoping they'd keep that blooper of hers. Clark may have, as he was known to do. But they probably taped over it. Maybe. RIP Betty. P.S. Just figured it out! Betty was on Pyramid to help promote "a new series" she was starring in ..... (guess what?) .... Golden Girls. It started airing in the Fall, 1985. So, that's definitely the year that we saw her, on the game show. Kewl!